January 19, 2009

I’ve been wanting to take a peek at the Philippine’s premier (or so they say) air terminal for the longest time since the contractor finished capping their imposing creation with a roof. Unfortunately, legal matters prevented its early inauguration. Everybody was afraid that rust would already check in at the mothballed terminal. It’s a good thing that the authorities were able to open it, albeit just 90-95% complete.

While the NAIA Terminal 3 is the largest airport in the country, I can’t say that it’s the most splendid. Aesthetically, it’s a bit wanting. I find Terminal 2 more charming, although it’s slowly showing signs of wear and tear. T3 didn’t even elicit in me that awe effect that Terminal 1 had when I first saw it. You may argue that airports don’t have to look grand as long as it functions well. But airports are the first thing that visitors see in the country where they’re sojourning. And with Filipinos being known to show everything that’s good and grand in their abode whenever they’re welcoming guests therein, it’s quite surprising to see that they didn’t seem to have given their best for that all-important first impression.

But in fairness to those who conceived the design of the terminal, it is spacious and passenger-friendly. To begin with, it has a number of entrances. Terminal 2 only has one, so you could just imagine the long line that slowly slithers in it. The number of check-in counters in T3 goes beyond the number of fingers, appendages, or protrusions in my body. In other words, it’s an unlimited resource. But for some reason, long queues greeted me and my special someone (hi, dear :) ) on our 6:35 a.m. flight to Cebu. We got left by the plane, but that’s another story.

The only bottleneck that we encountered in the building was in the final passenger and baggage check that borders the check-in area and the departure lounges. There were several x-ray machines available for use. However, for some reason, only one was utilized.

It’s comforting to know that a generous amount of floor area was devoted to gates and waiting lounges. There are even walkalators scattered in the area (a few more would be very much appreciated). A considerable amount of space has also been set aside for shops. Only a few stalls/commercial spaces were occupied, though. Maybe more would come in as the number of flights increases in the terminal.

As with the departure area, the arrival hall is expansive. Long waits at the baggage carousels are a rarity as the terminal features 7 huge ones. The hall also offers an area for the passengers’ waiting friends and relatives, a feature or distinction that the other two terminals do not have as they don’t allow non-passengers inside the building.

Getting a cab is easy. Airport metered cabs and coupon taxis are immediately available upon exiting the terminal. Coupon taxis have fixed rates for defined routes. They cost twice as much as their metered counterparts. Regular metered taxis also line the perimeter fence of the terminal. It’s just a short walk from the exit, but you’ll have to flex your muscles when you’re carrying many bags or luggage as the baggage carts cannot be brought beyond the waiting area.

While the terminal isn’t as enormous as Honk Kong’s Chek Lap Kok or as grand as Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, it’s comforting to know that we already have an airport that’s presentable and efficient. A trip to or via T3 is still a treat, considering what we’ve been asked to deal with a few years ago whenever we’re taking local flights (remember the old domestic terminal?). Be sure to bring along with you jackets and sweaters that are suitable for Baguio-like temperatures. This cavernous terminal can get extremely cold, especially during the early part of the morning. I learned that the hard way.